How to Use AirDrop to Send and Receive Files on iPad

Apple’s AirDrop for iOS 7 is the answer to the cries of millions of users who want a better way of sharing their photos, videos and links than bluetooth, email or SMS. Before we go any further, we must mention that this feature only works with the the iPad 4 or Mini, and the iPad Air and iPad mini with retina display, all running iOS 7. This means there’s currently no way of using AirDrop with an older iPads.

With that aside, using AirDrop in iOS 7 is pretty simple once you know what you’re doing. First, you’ll want to enable AirDrop. To do so, simply swipe up from the bottom of your iPad’s screen, with your finger starting from just below the bottom of the screen.

Then, select the AirDrop button. A list of three choices will appear: “Everyone” (Every iPad in the vicinity will be able to see yours) , “Contacts Only” (Only contacts with Apple IDs will be able to see your iPad) or “off”. If your iPad’s WiFi isn’t already turned on, selecting Everyone or Contacts only will switch it on as AirDrop works via a direct WiFi connection between tablets.

That’s all there is to it. No matter which option you chose, you’re now ready to start using AirDrop to send and receive files. Here is how:

First,tap the share button. This is the box with the arrow sticking straight up. This share button accesses the Share menu, which allows you to share via AirDrop, Facebook, iMessage, etc.

Next, locate the device you want to receive your AirDrop. This is the top portion of the Share menu. Devices will show up as a circle with an identifying label under it. This will be the contact’s photo with their name under it, but if you don’t have a photo attached to this contact, it will show up as a gray circle with their initials in it.

Last, tap the circle. Tapping will initiate sending the document to the recipient, who will then be prompted whether or not to accept the AirDrop.

That’s it. You can drop anything from photos to web pages. You can even share a contact by tapping the Share Contact button at the end of the contact’s information in the contacts app.